So, we've been consistent in calling for these rights to be protected. These joint committee report findings on the impact of Brexit on human rights also support many of our concerns. The initial letter to the First Minister notes, for example, that unlike in many other states, the right to equality in the UK is not protected by a constitutional bill of rights that would limit the extent to which equality could be eroded or removed by parliamentary legislation. EU law currently performs this backstop function.

What has concerned us the most is the implications of the deal made between the UK and Welsh Governments to repeal the Law Derived from the European Union (Wales) Act 2018. As you'll be aware, the UK Government's European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 does not include the inclusion of the European charter of fundamental rights in UK law, despite an attempt to amend that Act to include it. This has led to the reasonable question, raised by the committee, as to how the Welsh Government intends to protect those rights. The response is underwhelming to say the least. I quote:

'These are matters which require careful consideration. We will work with the UK Government to seek assurances on individual rights in the coming months.'

Well, that'll tell them, won't it?

It's further disappointing that, when asked how it can ensure existing rights are not eroded, the Welsh Government fell back on citing the Human Rights Act 1998. More bizarre still, they cited their Government's commitment to rights by noting the incorporation of the United Nations principles for older persons into the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Really? This was only in that Act because one of their group pressed the wrong button and voted for an amendment to incorporate that. It was never in the Act because the Welsh Government wanted it to be in there. So, it's clear to us that much more needs to be done, and we need to make sure that the Welsh Government is doing everything possible to protect the rights of people in Wales post Brexit. That means no selling out to a UK Government held hostage by the fundamentalists of the DUP and Rees-Mogg. And it also means that we need a Welsh bill of rights. That’s not the purpose of today’s debate, but it is something that I will be returning to another time.